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The rivalry between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan has transformed into one of cricket’s most spirited contests, marked by high-octane battles in Harare and Bulawayo. As both nations eye climbing the ICC ladder, their recent encounters in the 2025/26 season have showcased a thrilling mix of Afghan spin wizardry and resilient Zimbabwean pace.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan: Last 7 Face-Offs
The rivalry has been intense, with matches spanning Tests, ODIs, and T20Is across their recent tours.
| Date | Format | Venue | Result | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Nov 2025 | T20I | Harare | AFG won by 9 runs | Gurbaz smashed a blistering 92 off 48 balls. |
| 31 Oct 2025 | T20I | Harare | AFG won by 7 wickets | Rashid Khan’s clinical spell stifled the hosts. |
| 29 Oct 2025 | T20I | Harare | AFG won by 53 runs | Omarzai’s all-round show earned him MOTM. |
| 20 Oct 2025 | Test | Harare | ZIM won by an innings & 73 runs | Ben Curran’s massive 121 anchored the win. |
| 02 Jan 2025 | Test | Bulawayo | AFG won by 72 runs | Rashid Khan took 9 wickets in the match. |
| 26 Dec 2024 | Test | Bulawayo | Match Drawn | A historic Boxing Day Test battle. |
| 21 Dec 2024 | ODI | Harare | AFG won by 8 wickets | AM Ghazanfar’s spin dismantled the lineup. |
The Squads: Top Performers
| Zimbabwe National Team | Afghanistan National Team |
|---|---|
| Craig Ervine (C – Test/ODI) | Rashid Khan (C – T20I) |
| Sikandar Raza (C – T20I) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) |
| Blessing Muzarabani (Pace) | Mohammad Nabi (All-rounder) |
| Richard Ngarava (Pace) | Azmatullah Omarzai (All-rounder) |
| Ben Curran (Opener) | Fazalhaq Farooqi (Pace) |
| Brian Bennett (All-rounder) | Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Spin) |
| Clive Madande (WK) | Ibrahim Zadran (Batsman) |
Upcoming Series & Venues (2026-27)
The battle resumes soon as Zimbabwe travels for a return tour, while also hosting global giants.
| Series | Date | Format | Primary Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe Tour of Afghanistan | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | Afghanistan (TBD) |
| India Tour of Zimbabwe | July 2026 | 3 T20Is | Harare Sports Club |
| Australia Tour of Zimbabwe | Sept 2026 | 3 ODIs | Harare Sports Club |
| Zimbabwe Tour of India | Jan 2027 | 3 ODIs | Eden Gardens / Hyderabad |
ICC Men’s Team Rankings (April 2026)
Afghanistan maintains a slight edge in white-ball cricket, while Zimbabwe sits closely behind in the global standings.
| Format | Afghanistan Rank | Zimbabwe Rank | Top Ranked Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 12 | 11 | Australia |
| ODI | 7 | 11 | India |
| T20I | 10 | 11 | India |
Head-to-Head Summary
Afghanistan historically dominates the white-ball formats, but Zimbabwe has shown remarkable strength in the longest format.
| Format | Total Matches | Afghanistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | No Result/Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| ODI | 31 | 20 | 10 | 1 |
| T20I | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
Major Tournament & Memorable Matches
The teams have met in high-stakes ICC qualifiers and historic bilateral “firsts.”
| Event/Type | Match Context | Key Result | Most Memorable Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Epic Thriller | 3rd T20I (Nov 2025) | AFG won by 9 runs | Zimbabwe’s 201-run chase fell just short. |
| Major Tournament | T20 World Cup 2024 | AFG dominated | Rashid Khan’s match-defining spell. |
| Historic Win | Only Test (Oct 2025) | ZIM won by innings | Ben Curran’s maiden century (121). |
Key Performance & Record Breakers (2025-26)
The recent season saw several individual milestones that redefined the rivalry.
| Player | Team | Achievement | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | AFG | 92 off 48 balls (Nov 2025) | Power-Hitter |
| Ben Curran | ZIM | 121 in Only Test (Oct 2025) | Anchor |
| Richard Ngarava | ZIM | First career 5-wicket haul | Pace Spearhead |
| Rashid Khan | AFG | 9 wickets in Bulawayo Test | Spin Wizard |
The Tactical Edge: Strategic Matchups
- Pace vs Power: Richard Ngarava (145+ km/h) vs Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Ngarava’s extra bounce at Harare has often stifled Gurbaz early in the powerplay.
- Captain’s Gambit: Sikandar Raza’s decision to bat first in the 2025 Test exploited a drying Harare pitch, leading to an innings victory.
- The “Fortress” Advantage: Harare Sports Club remains Zimbabwe’s stronghold, with 10,000+ vocal fans providing an electric atmosphere that often unsettles visiting spinners.
Conclusion
This rivalry is no longer just a contest between “Associates turned Full Members”; it is a clash of distinct cricketing philosophies. While Afghanistan’s world-class spin remains their primary weapon, Zimbabwe’s resurgence in Test cricket and local pace talent suggests a more balanced future for this high-intensity African-Asian face-off.